Putah Creek originates from springs high above Cobb Mountain and meanders downstream from Lake Berryessa to the valley floor. It is one of the few wild trout streams that is coming into its prime.
Putah Creek is a relatively short 4.5 mile tailwater fishery that runs below Monticello Dam. Famously named the “Green River” by the Clearwater Credence Revival, the nutrient rich waters of Lake Berryessa create a habitat for trout unlike any other within California.
Prior to 2010, Putah Creek was managed as a put-and-take fishery. Past pictures and stories of trophy brown trout continue to circulate the internet however, the fishery has drastically changed since its designation as a wild trout fishery in 2014. Instead of brown trout, which no longer occupy the creek, a self-sustaining population of wild rainbow trout have become the dominant fish in the Putah Creek system.
Putah Creek is well-known as a technical fishery. Fluctuating flows, submerged trees, weedy bottoms, overhanging branches, tight fishing quarters, deep runs, and thorny blackberry bushes are just a few of the many elements that contribute to the creek’s notorious fishing difficulty. Although these elements create a great habitat for growing giant trout, they can puzzle inexperienced anglers who are unfamiliar with the creek.
Open Season
A) From Lake Solano to Monticello Dam.
Open all year
*Only artificial lures with barbless hooks
*Zero limit. Catch-and-release only.
There is an unwritten rule to not fish the creek from November/December through February. These fish are winter spawners that have very limited spawning habitat. Please respect this amazing fishery and leave the fish alone during the spawn.
Access Points
There are several fishing access points with parking lots along HWY 128 in addition to turn offs. There is no fee to park with exception of Lake Solano. A $10 parking fee at all fishing access spots was implemented on July 1st, 2019.
The first access point is the Putah Creek Wildlife Area. There are two undeveloped parking lots about a mile downstream from Monticello Dam.
This section contains a variety of different water. Riffles, runs, and pools both deep and shallow can be found all throughout this section of Putah Creek.
Continuing downstream you will find the Canyon Creek Resort which is a private stretch of water only accessible by occupants however if you can cross the creek you can fish the opposite side.
Once you pass the Canyon Creek Resort keep an eye out for a deer sign along the creek. There is a short turnout where you can park in the section cleverly known as “Deer Sign”.
The first type of water you’ll see upon hiking towards the creek is a long deep run. Below the run there are a few riffles, runs, and pools however the access is better if you can cross the creek.
The long deep run is crossable in certain areas at flows below 200 CFS or you can hike down to it from the Putah Creek Wildlife Area.
Fishing Access #1 and #2 is the first parking lot access downstream.
This section contains deep runs and pools along with a few shallow riffles and runs. Unlike the other fishing access points, access #2 has no parking lot and can be found as you hike downstream along the trail.
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| Access 3 Spawning Riffle |
Fishing Access #3 is the second parking lot access downstream.
Some of the deepest runs in comparison to the other access points can be found in this section. There is a small riffle at the end of access #3 before the water turns into glassy spring-creek looking water.
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| Access 4 Run |
Fishing Access #4 is the third parking lot access downstream.
This section is essentially a long run with a tailout, pool, and run. The run eventually shallows out and connects with access #5. The shallow area is crossable at flows below 450 CFS.
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| Access 5 Riffles |
Fishing Access #5 is the last parking lot access downstream.
The creek wraps around an island creating beautiful riffles and pools in this section. Access #5 is relatively shallow, easily wadeable, and crossable at flows below 500 CFS.
Below Access #5 the creek turns into Lake Solano.
Seasons
Spring
March 1st is when the season begins on Putah Creek. The majority of the fish have finished spawning and the flows are usually increased from a very low 100 CFS to about 200 CFS. The flows will gradually rise as the season continues.
Try to stay out of the water and if you must cross be aware that there may still be active unhatched eggs within the creek.
Midges and BWOs are usually the go-to for Putah Creek throughout the year and spring time is no exception.
Putah tends to attract crowds during the spring since it is easily wadeable and crossable therefore you will have to think outside the box if you are left with water that has already been fished. |
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Summer
The summer flows begin at 400 CFS and tend to peak at 600 CFS. Mornings and evenings will often fish the best.
As the weather warms up the caddis will become more active. Patterns that imitate emerging pupae such as prince nymphs or Fox’s poopah are good options.
I like to fish Putah Creek with my Hero Sculpin streamer during the summer. You’ll need to cover a lot of water but there’s a good chance that you’ll get a big take from a Putah Creek trophy bow.
The fishing can be tough this time of year but don’t let the high flows intimidate you the fish always need to eat. |
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Fall
Similar to the spring tradition of crowds on Putah, the fall is when anglers tend to pick their rods back up and head out to their favorite creek access. The flows will gradually be reduced providing access to areas that were unfishable during the summer.
Streamers will continue to work along with nymphs during the fall as the trout fatten up to prepare for the spawn.
November is when anglers will stop fishing Putah Creek due to the spawn. Depending on the timing of the spawn some guides and anglers will stop fishing the creek even earlier to help keep this fishery healthy. This ultimately means the end of the season until March. |
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Winter
The fish will be spawning during this time. With the creek at minimal flows it is best to avoid fishing to prevent from interfering with the spawn.
Leave the creek alone and fish the other great winter fisheries nearby such as the Lower American, Lower Yuba, Feather, and Sacramento River. |
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Fish Species
Rainbow Trout
Gear
5WT 6WT
Floating line
Rio versileaders
9′ – 12′ 4x or 5x tapered leaders
Fly Patterns
- Nymphs
- Pheasant tail #16 – 18
- S&M nymph #16 – 18
- Copper John #16 – 18
- Prince nymph #14 – 18
- Zebra midge #18 – 20
- Juju baetis #18
- Juju midge #18
- Micro may #18
- Putah riffle special #18
- WD-40 #16 – 20
- Wet flies
- Soft hackle #14 – 18
- Bird’s nest #14 – 18
- San Juan Worm #6 – 8
- Dry flies
- Streamers
- Woolly bugger #4 – 6
- Sculpinzilla #4
- Zonker #4
- Hero Sculpin #4 – 6
Techniques
Nymphing is the most commonly used fly fishing tactic on Putah Creek. Although smaller fish can be found rising for flies during warm evenings, Putah Creek trout feed subsurface 95% of the time. Surprisingly the large trout that live in Putah Creek love to eat tiny flies. The rig I use most is an indicator, splitshot, and size 16 nymph along with a size 18 dropper. More often than not I will get the +20” fish to eat the size 18 dropper. My go-to colors on Putah Creek are black and olive in darker tones.
When the flows are high use a long 10′ or 12′ 5x leader and a heavy splitshot to get your flies down to the fish. When the flows are low you can often get away with using a standard 9′ leader. Being able to read water and adjusting your set-up accordingly is absolutely critical when fishing Putah Creek. I typically will add or remove splitshot several times throughout the day depending on the type of water I’m fishing. Putah Creek is where I learned the art of indicator adjustment. My favorite strike indicators are the locking indicators because they can be adjusted quickly and easily. Most anglers on Putah Creek including myself tend to use smaller indicators 1/2 inch or less for a stealthier approach and to detect softer bites. The creek is small but deceptively deep therefore extending your leader tippet can help get your flies down quicker and help you fish deeper. Putah Creek is full of thick weeds so check your flies often for green gunk the fish don’t like to eat flies with gunk on them.
Streamers work well on Putah Creek when the flows are +200 CFS. I like to use an extra fast sinking 10′ versileader, 4′ 10# mono leader, and streamer tied on a loop knot. Cast your streamer upstream, let it sink, and once it begins to swing make steady two inch retrieves. Cover as much water as you can when fishing streamers. I can typically cover the entire creek in about four to five hours when fishing streamers. I usually don’t hook many fish on streamers but when I do they’re usually the big ones. The heavier line helps a lot when trying to land large fish on Putah Creek. 10# mono will always be more forgiving than 5x tippet. Here are a few more helpful tips on streamer fishing.
Putah Creek is a jungle creek lined with blackberry bushes and overhanging trees that prevent you from backcasting. Learn to roll cast and roll cast well.
Be prepared to fight a trophy fish. 10% of the trout in Putah Creek are trophy sized fish so you’ll eventually hook one if you fish the creek often. Fighting these fish can be tough so be prepared with a decent sized net and refined fish fighting skills. You’ll lose more trophy fish than you land so keep calm and fish on.
I believe that the optimal fishing flows on Putah Creek is around 200 – 350 CFS. The wading can be a bit challenging but is safe and doable. All of my crossing spots are crossable at these flows giving me access to about 90% of the creek. Anything in the 100-150 CFS range in my opinion is too low making it both tough to fish and tough to find fish. Flows over +450 CFS I would consider high and limiting although still fishable if you put in the work.
The creek can get crowded on weekends and sometimes even weekdays. If you find yourself on Putah during one of these days the best advice I can give you is to look for water that may have been missed or return to a prime spot later in the day. Never overlook the nooks, crannies, slow water, etc. I’ve seen and caught myself some amazing fish in spots that people overlook trying to get to the more popular spots.
Putah Creek has a significant New Zealand mudsnail infestation. To help prevent spreading these invasive snails be sure to thoroughly clean your gear or let it completely dry out for a few days before jumping into another body of water.
